I just got a 55 gallon fish tank and it had sand substrate because it was beings used as a saltwater tank. I wanted to know if theres any way to eliminate the salt in the water and sand so I can use the sand substrate or any other way to eliminate it.

Thanks guys.

zof

11-26-2011 10:33 PM

Rinse, soak, drain, repeat is probably the best method all the while stirring the sand during the soak, but you might want to make sure it actually is sand and not some crush coral or something else that will raise you pH. Just make sure you do it enough times to remove most of the salt, and you may not be able to keep the sand as it might hold on to it more then the tank will, on the bright side you can get a 50 pound bag of play sand at the local hardware store for about $4, just rinse it reallllly good before adding it.

DuskDarkVoid

11-27-2011 07:05 AM

From what I know, its actual sand and the guy that had the yank before me used some type of ocean mix to make the sand salty. So I should just rinse, mix and throw the water away until it doesn't seem salty? Is there a way to measure the salinity?

Would the play sand be good for a planted tank?

Nubster

11-27-2011 09:04 AM

Play sand does work for planted tanks. To measure the salinity you can get one of those el cheapo hydrometers that barely work when there is a lot of slat in the wat much less trace amounts or you can get a refractometer. Check to see if any of your LFS use them to test water and see if they will check your sample. If it were me I'd just get new substrate.

DuskDarkVoid

11-27-2011 12:09 PM

I'll probably just get new substrate then. Is there anything you guys recommend for cleaning the tank? What should I use?

zof

11-27-2011 01:17 PM

Water and vinegar, just rinse it really good once you use the vinegar.

DuskDarkVoid

11-27-2011 01:46 PM

So I just fill the tank with water and dump vinegar in or is there a specific way to do it?

Nubster

11-27-2011 02:16 PM

Empty the tank and use a vinegar soaked rag and wipe the tank clean. Rinse well. Best if you can do it outside and use the garden hose to rinse. That way you can tip the tank up on its end and rinse rinse rinse. Also works well in the bath tub.

DuskDarkVoid

11-27-2011 02:22 PM

Awesome. Thanks for the tips guys =]

DuskDarkVoid

11-29-2011 11:32 AM

I cleaned the tank and all but the water seems caked on. I'm not sure if its calcium or just old water but it won't come off!!! I tried using the vinegar but it didnt work, now I'm using CLR but I haven't had any luck. Is there anything else I can try?